Paul–An Example of Faithfulness

Acts 20:13–21
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After being in service all night, Paul decided to walk from Troas to Assos, perhaps eighteen or nineteen miles (v. 13). He did this undoubtedly to be alone for awhile, rather than being in the crowd on board the ship.  Paul just needed some time to be alone; where he could think over the past, plan for the future, and make sure he was walking in the will of the Lord (v. 14). By the time he arrived, Paul was ready for all the events and adventures that still lay ahead. At Assos he boarded the ship that his traveling companions were already on, and sailed down the Asia Minor coast, finally arriving at the port of Miletus (v. 15). Miletus was a city of considerable size and importance. It was located on the south shore of the Laotian Gulf, at the mouth of the Maeander River. 

Paul had decided to sail on past Ephesus, because he did not want to spend too much time in Asia. He was in a hurry and wanted to be in Jerusalem in time for Pentecost (v. 16). Paul had sent ahead for the elders of the Church of Ephesus (about thirty miles away) to meet him (v. 17). In the next few verses (vv. 18-25) we find Paul’s “farewell” to one of his favorite Churches. He had ministered in Ephesus for about two-and-a-half years. His life had been an open book, and he now challenged the Ephesian elders to examine it (v. 18). At this point some of the Jews plotted against him and caused him a lot of sorrow and trouble (v. 19). But he served the Lord and was humble. Happy is a pastor or Christian leader, who having faithfully served a church for a length of time can truthfully say “I did not shrink from declaring to you the whole counsel of God” (vv. 20-21).

Application

One of the things I need to be constantly asking myself is: What kind of an example am I leaving for others to follow? I need to be on guard for anything that will keep me from following God’s will.